Wyoming Legislators Consider Bill Raising Animal Abuse Fines

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers are considering a bill that would increase the fines levied against people convicted of abusing animals.

The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Mike Gierau would raise the fine for an initial animal cruelty conviction to $2,500. A fine for a subsequent offense would increase to $10,000.

The bill would also increase the maximum fine for the elevated charge of aggravated animal cruelty to $10,000.

Under current state law, the misdemeanor animal cruelty charge is punishable by a fine of up to $750 and up to six months imprisonment. A subsequent offense increases the fine to $5,000 and imprisonment to one year.

Aggravated animal cruelty is a felony offense punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and no more than two years in prison.